CH4D Swager or Dillon Swager?

[Psychbiker]

I have about 4k 223 to swage and 800 308.

Been using a #3 drill bit and drill to ream after some research. Works great actually. Sometimes a primer is tough to hand prime. Had one go off few month back, nice and loud that was.

The CH4D would work fewest on my single stage. I guess both need the brass sorted right?

[Bumslie]

I don't sort my brass using the ch4d. Hell I didn't do it when I had the rcbs bench top swager either.

Kicker for me was a few things.

1. Price. You're paying $30 for the ch4d vs ~$110 for the dilon.

2. Was bench space real estate. Granted you could make the dillon removable, but it would still take up space wherever I put it. Ch4D puts nicely away in a box

2.5 - dillons have to have enough clearance to hang over the bench. Another thing I didn't like.

3. I sit to reload, I found using the dillon was better for a person who stands to reload. Definitely caused shoulder fatigue for me.



Either way you decide, you can pretty much get your money back. Ch4d is a little investment, you won't lose much if you don't like it. Dillon products hold their value pretty well, so you will probably only lose $20 if you decide you don't like it.

[Citadelgrad87]

I agree, you probably can't go wrong. I had an RCBS and it was very slow for me to use. I have come bulk brass I was working through, then went shooting and picked up even more mil surp. It became clear I needed so etching faster, and I found a dillon from a local galgunner for $80. Bumslie helped convince me it was a zero risk test, I can get rid of it this week for the $80 If I didn't like it.

It does require some space, not a lot, but that's a consideration, and it needs to be on the edge so the lever will be able to travel. I put mine in a place I could live with using wing nuts, I was going to take it off when not in use and store it, but so far I've left it.

I did look at the c4 HD videos, and it looks much faster than the RCBS unit. I almost went that way, and was going to borrow one to compare, but in finished up the brass I was working on my dillon, and never got around to comparing.

Look carefully at Bumslies list. I load standing up, and the dillon seems right for me.

[Ferrum]

I have several different swaging set ups and I keep going back to the CH4D...

[BigBronco]

I prefer the CH4D. If you are in OC and want to try one. PM me. The reloading club may soon be ordering some on a group buy.

[Dutch Henry]

I have the CH4D, RCBS and the Dillon swage tools.

In my experience, the RCBS is slow, but does a good job. The CH4D deforms the extraction grooves of the .223/5.56 cases (I'm going to sell it, I think). The Dillon is expensive, but it is the best of the bunch and the fastest tool, too.

[OpenSightsOnly]

I have about 4k 223 to swage and 800 308.

Been using a #3 drill bit and drill to ream after some research. Works great actually. Sometimes a primer is tough to hand prime. Had one go off few month back, nice and loud that was.

The CH4D would work fewest on my single stage. I guess both need the brass sorted right?

I have used the CH4D swager for 223. I sort my brass and its still a hit and miss since not all crimps are the same.

What I have been using is Redding deburring tool, or the RCBS military crimp remover.

Using either one, I can control cutting depth based on a particular crimp of the brass. Hasn't been an issue.

[OpenSightsOnly]

I have the CH4D, RCBS and the Dillon swage tools.

In my experience, the RCBS is slow, but does a good job. The CH4D deforms the extraction grooves of the .223/5.56 cases (I'm going to sell it, I think). The Dillon is expensive, but it is the best of the bunch and the fastest tool, too.

If your CH4D swager is deforming the lip then that is set to deep - did that on my first go around with the tool.

[freonr22]

Try a counter sink instead of the Phillips bit. Spin your drill press at 3000 rpm. Like 1-12 secs per shell

[klewan]

I have about 4k 223 to swage and 800 308.

Been using a #3 drill bit and drill to ream after some research. Works great actually. Sometimes a primer is tough to hand prime. Had one go off few month back, nice and loud that was.

The CH4D would work fewest on my single stage. I guess both need the brass sorted right?

Why would you want to swage if the reaming is working???? Just to buy another tool is my guess. No adjustment, doesn't cost more than $5-10, faster than any swagger, no mangled rims, no sorting headstamps.

If there was ever a solution in search of a need, it's swaging.

I looked at the CH4D as it was $20 and I was looking at blowing some money. But after some research, I realized reaming was better.